West Indies will look to resume for a position of being slightly ahead when they take on Australia on the second day of the first Test that begins at 11.30pm AEST tonight. Play will begin early to make up for the lost time on the first day.
Rain stopped what was turning out to be a dour, but fascinating first day’s play in the West Indies-Australia Test match at Barbados.
West Indies had crept up to 3/179 in 73 overs before inclement weather halted the proceedings, leading the umpires to call it stumps. Darren Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will resume their fight on the second day.
It was a fighting day of Test cricket, one that brought back memories from yesteryears when this format of the game was still revered by all.
A run-rate of less than 2.5 per over only underlined the manner in which the trio of Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk Edwards battled the Australian bowling before falling away.
Barath and Brathwaite added 38 but stalled the Australian new ball bowlers for little more than an hour.
Later Edwards joined Brathwaite in a 104-run partnership that took up 37 overs, allowing both to get to their respective half-centuries. Edwards’ good run of form in Test cricket – average of 50+ in this format – continued as notched up 61 while Brathwaite exhausted one short of 200 balls for his 57.
Australia will be happy, however, that both fell on the first day, leaving the rest of the side a tad vulnerable to the new ball that can be taken tomorrow after around half hour.
Michael Clarke made some interesting choices on the first day. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was introduced in the first hour of play and part-timers himself and Warner bowled a good seven overs as well.
Warner did take a wicket but overall it was probably the admittance of the fact that West Indies had made the right choice of going in with two spin bowlers in the game.
We will bring you the coverage throughout this first Test match of the series between West Indies and Australia from Barbados and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds from 11.30pm AEST. Note that play will begin early to make up for lost time yesterday, weather permitting.
Lolly
Guest
Well done Suneer.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That is the end of the day's play then with Australia on 0/44 in 10 overs. The day belonged to West Indies for the way they batted down the order and ever declared the innings closed on 449. Shivnarine Chanderpaul got to his 25th century in Tests. I will be back with you for the third day's play tomorrow.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Pulled away by Cowan and it goes racing away. He had attempted many a cut, but this time he went for the pull. 023 in the 7th.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Shot! This one from Edwards was not pitched up to the bat but Warner still goes through with the cover drive and Edwards isn't looking amused here. 0/19 in 4.3
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Cowan's attempted a few strokes over the cordon region, and Sammy's got a couple of gullies in. Three slips in place as well.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Short, outside the off-stump and Cowan has gone for the cut shot. This one goes over the slips and that is going to head in the direction of the fence. 0/11 in 2.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Cowan is looking highly unsettled out there in the middle. He is trying to manufacture shots and with this, he might end up giving chances to the opponents.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It is Roach from the other end, and in front of him is Warner.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The Australians are off the mark with a four, off the pads of Cowan. Those are the only runs off the over. 0/4 in 1.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The West Indian unit is out, and they will soon be joined by the Australian openers, Dave Warner and Ed Cowan. So, Watson will bat at three after all. Fidel Edwards with the ball.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Yes it is! West Indies have declared their innings on 9/449, which means that Australia will have a good 16 overs or 50 minutes to bat, whichever is earlier! Back in 10 with Australia's reply then.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The players in the West Indian dressing room are now on their feet. A declaration around the corner?
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
With nothing much happening for the Australians, they turn to Michael Hussey now to bowl. Desperate to break this stand here. 9/446.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Bishoo throws his bat at it and it is sliced away over the slips for four. The result is that the third-man has been pushed back.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A couple of runs takes Bishoo to 11, which means all the batsmen in this innings have at least 10. Partnerships for each wicket are: 38, 104, 25, 73, 45, 31, 53, 33, 19 and 18 so far... ...nice even distribution that is.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Bishoo has sent it away, over mid-off for a four! Rubbing it in now... 9/436.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The partnership continues to trudge along. Not too much damage in terms of runs but the Aussie openers will awaiting their chance. Plus the mental fatigue will now be working on them... 9/432
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
100! There it is! Century number 25 for the Guyanese, short from Hilfy and he pulls it away for a couple of runs, taking him to his century. Only Brian Lara (34) and Gary Sobers (26) have more centuries than him.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A single off the last ball of the Nathan Lyon over gives Chanderpaul the strike when on 99! It will be Hilfenhaus to bowl and try and prevent the century now! Marks his guard again.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Couple more to Chanderpaul after the drinks break takes him to 98. He had earlier refused a single. 9/428.